【Reading】まこがれい

【English Name】Marbled Sole

The makogarei (marbled flounder, Pleuronectes yokohamae) is a white-fleshed fish of the genus Pleuronectes in the family Pleuronectidae. Its Japanese name "mako" derives from its egg-bearing appearance; it reaches 45-50 cm in body length, with the eyed side being blackish-brown. Distributed from southern Hokkaido to the coast of Oita Prefecture, the northern East China Sea, and the Bohai Sea, it inhabits sandy-muddy bottoms shallower than 100 m and preys on benthic organisms. The spawning season is November to the following February. Its season is early summer; light in flavor yet characterized by refined sweetness and a delicate texture. The winter roe-bearing "komochi-garei" and the "jokka-garei" of Hiji Town, Oita Prefecture, are prized as premium products.